8
August
2013
It is some two years since the Hutton report in to public sector pensions was published. Since that time the ASU\GMB Trade Union has continued to argue and press for retirement of ambulance crews at 60 on full pension, in line with our police and fire service colleagues.
We have persuaded the NHS to look at the potential impact of longer working on employees such as ambulance staff. Work is currently ongoing on this.
The Hutton report said that the police and fire services carry out a unique role in society. That is very true but surely no one can argue that the same does not apply to front line ambulance crews?
Hutton allows for police and fire service staff to retire on a full pension at 60. We support and welcome that. However, we believe it is unrealistic an unacceptable to expect ambulance crews to carry on working until they are 68. In the case of younger ambulance staff the possibility is that they will have to work until they are 70 before becoming eligible for their full pension. That is extraordinary.
So much of these type of questions depends on unions energetically pursuing the agenda and not giving up. The ASU/GMB Trade Union makes that commitment to all its members. Since all of the eladers from the ASU are serving or ex-serving ambulance staff themselves, we know how important this issue is and that is why we will continue to campaign for a fair pensions scheme for ambulance staff in line with the one available to our colleagues in the police and fire services.
